Chapter Twenty – The Military Creation Act.

Padmé did do excellent work as Senator over the years, flanked always by Sabé and the others. Sabé held down two jobs, one of which was handmaiden. Occasionally she would act as Padmé's personal assistant by her friend's request. Padmé had seen her potential for politics even when Sabé herself had not. She had offered her the new role, realising that she could tutor Sabé and reduce her workload in one step. Sabé was constantly ordered to dress in the formal garb of Senatorial Assistant, sometimes slipping into her blue hooded cloak should the occasion call for it. Although she still hated the corruption in the political arena, she had developed a flair and an interest over the years.

Almost exactly two years after Arimé Jamillia came to the throne, Padmé was called to Coruscant to cast her vote against the Military Creation Act to prevent the formation of an Army of the Republic. For years a group called the Confederacy of Independent Systems, shortened to the Separatists by the HoloNet, and its leader Count Dooku had been gathering star systems together to detach from the Senate and its ideals. Chancellor Palpatine believed that they were becoming a threat and had called the vote to decide if an army should be created to counter it.

"Those fools," Padmé had remarked to Sabé during her previous visit to the capital. "Why can't they see that the creation of an army will just trigger more violence towards us?"

"I don't know," Sabé shrugged.

"We create an Army of the Republic so we can boss star systems around and they expect them to go quietly without a fight? If we create armies then other systems will create armies too. Then the next time there's an argument between two planets it will more than likely turn into war."

Padmé's argument had not changed since. Recent scuffles between Outer Rim planets had only increased her enthusiasm and she was rushing around organising things for the trip, eager to plead her case.

Captain Panaka was in charge of security for Queen Jamillia, but he took some time to discuss Padmé's safety with Captain Typho.

"My uncle suggests you use a decoy for the journey to Coruscant, M'Lady," Typho said casually.

Padmé looked up from where she was filing data pads to take with her. "Does he now?"

"Yes." Typho glanced pointedly over at Sabé, who rolled her eyes.

"I'll do it, Padmé," she said at length.

"And where am I supposed to travel exactly?" the Senator demanded, hands on hips.

Typho spoke without hesitation, "You and I will pilot fighters to flank the main ship. I've got Corporal Dolphe standing by to take the lead fighter."

Sabé walked the short distance to the desk and picked up a data pad.

"I'll have Cordé and Versé on the ship with me," she said. "You're sending Dormé and Saché on ahead, aren't you?"

"Yes," Padmé sighed. "This sounds like another Panaka speciality security plan."

Typho smiled and Sabé turned for the door. "When are Dormé and Saché leaving?" she asked.

"Tomorrow. We'll leave the following day."

"Okay. I'm just going to write a letter if I'm not needed."

Padmé smiled. "To Obi-Wan Kenobi?"

"Yes. I haven't written in almost a year."

"Well you'd better get to it. Don't worry I can manage here. Perhaps you can meet up with him on Coruscant." She beamed.

"I don't think that would be a good idea," Sabé replied fluidly, although she wasn't too convinced by her own words.

Padmé looked as if she understood and said quietly, "Send Dormé and Saché in, would you?"

Sabé nodded and left the room. She sent the two to Padmé's office then collected a cloak from her apartment before heading back outside.

'Dear Obi-Wan,' she typed as she walked around the walled gardens at the palace. As Padmé's assistant, Queen Jamillia had allowed her access to the grounds. 'I'm sorry I've been so slow in replying to you, but Padmé has kept me very busy. As you are probably well aware, the Military Creation Act campaign comes to a conclusion soon. Padmé is returning to Coruscant to cast her vote. I will be accompanying her as a decoy again. Luckily no face paint or feathered headdresses involved this time. Captain Typho is almost as fussy as his uncle when it comes to security measures. Padmé thinks he's going over the top. I'm not so sure. She has had more than her fair share of assassination attempts over the years. I suppose that means she was doing a good job. People only seem to get assassinated when they're doing something right. I hope you and Anakin are well. Is he still your apprentice or do you have a new Padawan now?

"Sabé!"

She turned her head. Rabé was waving from a balcony. She waved back.

"Senator Amidala wants to talk to you!"

"I'll be right there!"

Quickly she typed, 'Well, must go. Duty calls. I still hold onto the hope that we may meet again some day. Regards, Sabé.' Then she hurried back to Padmé's office where she sent the letter from a computer terminal and asked what was wrong.

"Sorry to call you back, Sabé, but Saché's mother has been taken ill and she has to go and take care of her. She can't accompany us to Coruscant."

"Is she all right?" Sabé remembered Saché's mother well. She had always sent them packages of her homemade biscuits while they served at the palace. She was the only mother that Sabé could recollect using the traditional recipe.

"I hope so," Padmé said. "Listen, I want you to go on ahead with Dormé tomorrow."

Sabé shook her head. "What about your decoy?"

"Cordé has agreed to stand in." Padmé looked her cousin in the eye. "Please, Sab. I'd feel better knowing you had checked the apartment over before I got there."

Sabé sighed. "That's blackmail you know. But once again you've got your way. I'll go."

"Thank you."

"What should I pack? Formal stuff? Handmaiden's robes?"

Padmé picked up a data pad that had her 'to do' list on it, and scrolled until she found a list entitled 'to pack'.

"I'm taking this," she said, handing it over. "Pack clothes that will compliment, I'll want you as my assistant. I know it's a pain, but our robes of office have to look good together."

"For the reputation of Naboo," Sabé quipped. "I know. Etiquette always takes care of the silly details."

"Don't look on it as etiquette, more…" Padmé paused, searching for the right words. "Artistic composition."

"Right…I'll go and pack then." She tossed the pad back onto the desk before exiting.